1
as in totals
a complete amount of something
the sum of human knowledge on that subject
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in summaries
a short statement of the main points
the district attorney delivered a sum of the evidence against the accused that was simply staggering
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in heights
the highest part or point
he declared that he had reached the sum of joy when his newborn daughter was laid in his arms
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in roots
the central part or aspect of something under consideration
the sum of the issue is: who will pay for this?
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in adds
to combine (numbers) into a single sum
can sum figures in his head faster than I can punch them into a calculator
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sums
Annie Palmer, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
Americans rightfully expect smart use of our tax dollars, not wasting enormous sums on frivolous, extravagant and absolutely unnecessary projects as a ballroom.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
His rhetoric has helped sustain one of the fastest cash burns of any startup in history, relying on partners that have borrowed vast sums.
—Ronan Farrow, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Each candidate is betting large sums of their own money, as well as raising war chests from funders, to pursue the rare open seat.
—Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2026
The reasoning behind this is unclear, given that these are already areas where private equity has poured large sums of money.
—ArsTechnica, 6 Apr. 2026
Large sums were wagered on the outcome of Oliver Cromwell’s second siege of Limerick and the date of the fall of Namur in the Nine Years’ War.
—Stuart Jeffries, Air Mail, 4 Apr. 2026
The attacks bring into sharp relief how some of the key selling points of crypto — decentralization from banks, the ease of transferring large sums, irreversible transactions — also double as its vulnerabilities.
—Megan Cassidy, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
Namings often tied to philanthropic giving The current clamor bears some resemblance to the controversy that surrounded the wealthy Sackler family’s culpability in the deadly opioid crisis, because in both cases the institutions involved had received vast sums from the family.
—Michael Casey, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Feb. 2026
Fennell's version of the book promises to lean into the madness and passion of Cathy and Heathcliffe's doomed love—and this quote kind of sums it up.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 28 Jan. 2026
Parents sat down with Avatar star and Academy Award-winner, Zoe Saldaña, who sums the film up beautifully.
—Katie Grant, Parents, 16 Dec. 2025
Still, according to the investigative media outlet Mongabay, Petroperú has accumulated nearly $100 million in penalties for environmental damage across the country — sums the highly indebted state-company is not likely to be able to pay in the foreseeable future.
—Sabrina Weiss, The Dial, 23 Sep. 2025
Dobbins’ impact for the Broncos can be measured in several ways, but one stat maybe sums it up as well as any.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
Spence’s post on social media after Spurs’ victory over Man City at the Etihad perfectly sums him up.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
In the process, Amazon invested significant sums in cloud computing, warehouses and devices.
—Annie Palmer, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
Americans rightfully expect smart use of our tax dollars, not wasting enormous sums on frivolous, extravagant and absolutely unnecessary projects as a ballroom.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
His rhetoric has helped sustain one of the fastest cash burns of any startup in history, relying on partners that have borrowed vast sums.
—Ronan Farrow, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Each candidate is betting large sums of their own money, as well as raising war chests from funders, to pursue the rare open seat.
—Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2026
The reasoning behind this is unclear, given that these are already areas where private equity has poured large sums of money.
—ArsTechnica, 6 Apr. 2026
Large sums were wagered on the outcome of Oliver Cromwell’s second siege of Limerick and the date of the fall of Namur in the Nine Years’ War.
—Stuart Jeffries, Air Mail, 4 Apr. 2026
The attacks bring into sharp relief how some of the key selling points of crypto — decentralization from banks, the ease of transferring large sums, irreversible transactions — also double as its vulnerabilities.
—Megan Cassidy, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
Namings often tied to philanthropic giving The current clamor bears some resemblance to the controversy that surrounded the wealthy Sackler family’s culpability in the deadly opioid crisis, because in both cases the institutions involved had received vast sums from the family.
—Michael Casey, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
Owner and hotel manager Andrea Scherz describes the look as mountain chic with a British touch, and that pretty much sums it up.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Feb. 2026
Fennell's version of the book promises to lean into the madness and passion of Cathy and Heathcliffe's doomed love—and this quote kind of sums it up.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 28 Jan. 2026
Parents sat down with Avatar star and Academy Award-winner, Zoe Saldaña, who sums the film up beautifully.
—Katie Grant, Parents, 16 Dec. 2025
Still, according to the investigative media outlet Mongabay, Petroperú has accumulated nearly $100 million in penalties for environmental damage across the country — sums the highly indebted state-company is not likely to be able to pay in the foreseeable future.
—Sabrina Weiss, The Dial, 23 Sep. 2025
Dobbins’ impact for the Broncos can be measured in several ways, but one stat maybe sums it up as well as any.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
Spence’s post on social media after Spurs’ victory over Man City at the Etihad perfectly sums him up.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sums
Noun
-
Napa County job totals were unchanged and Marin County lost 100 jobs in January.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
While 2015, 2017 and 2019 ranked among the highest homicides totals ever recorded in the city– with those years reaching almost 350 homicides each– sharp declines in the last few years have brought Baltimore’s murder rates to a historic low.—
Stella Canino-Quinones,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But his writing only survives in brief quotes or summaries.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
9 Apr. 2026
-
California state employees, meanwhile, are piloting Poppy, a generative AI tool that can produce executive summaries, retrieve data for reports and audits and automate technical processes.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Noah Baumbach reached new heights with this bittersweet examination of a relationship in the aftermath of a breaking point.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Apr. 2026
-
And though some of Euphoria’s ensemble players — Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney — saw their acting careers catapult to new heights, others simply didn’t make it.—
Shirley Halperin,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The fish fry traces its roots back to 2021, when Robinson, founder of The Applesauce Group, a nonprofit that works to empower historically excluded communities, began hosting small gatherings during the uncertainty of the pandemic.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
-
What’s more, onions and other alliums have natural antibacterial properties that may inhibit the nitrogen-fixing bacteria on the roots of legume plants.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The timeless gingham pattern is complimented by tassels around the hem, which adds a touch of sophistication to your tablescape.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The sausage adds a bit of heat, while the peppers and pan sauce bring a light tang that keeps the dish from feeling too heavy.—
Evan Moore
April 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Only Spain misses out on the centerline, but long totalities are still possible there — up to 4 minutes, 40 seconds.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
After missing multiple deadlines set by federal officials in recent months to, at least, create outlines of an agreement, the two sides are hiring more lawyers in case the dispute goes to court.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The system, called HEAPGrasp, reconstructs object shapes using only visual outlines captured through an RGB camera, enabling robots to reliably identify and grasp objects regardless of their optical properties.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Each batch spans big-name brands and underrated labels alike and includes tops, bottoms, bags, matching sets, shoes, and beyond.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
4 Apr. 2026
-
These large bulb-forming plants of white-, pink- or white and-maroon blooms are durable, and even when the tops are frozen rapidly being new growth with the return of warm spring weather.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sums.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sums. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
